| When you buy a mobile phone from Cingular, they are | | | | phones. Other phones often require hooking your |
| going to lock their phone internally so that only calls | | | | phone to your computer via a USB cable and |
| processed through the Cingular network will be | | | | downloading the unlocking software. |
| received by the unit. If you wish to change to another | | | | Once you have typed in the code, you will usually |
| service provider you are going to have to perform | | | | receive a message from your phone that lets you |
| what is called a Cingular unlock. There is no worry | | | | know it is now unlocked, but if this is not the case; |
| about the legal aspects of doing this. Unless your | | | | there is an alternative way to check. Each unit has |
| contract specifies that Cingular retains ownership of | | | | what is called a SIM card that identifies the phone and |
| the phone, you are free to unlock it. It is your property. | | | | the service provider. You will need to borrow a SIM |
| Once you unlock your Cingular phone, you are going to | | | | card from someone with a cell phone that is |
| be able to take advantage of any special deals being | | | | connected to a different service and install it into your |
| offered by competing companies. It is also going | | | | phone. If it recognizes the new SIM card you will know |
| increase the resale value of the unit. | | | | it is unlocked. |
| When you are ready to perform the unlock, you are | | | | It is a good idea to record the unlock code once you |
| going to have to acquire the unlock code. There are a | | | | receive it, and to store it in a safe place. It is possible to |
| large number of websites that specialize in Cingular | | | | relock phones via remote signals, and although this is |
| unlock codes and they can provide the code for your | | | | not done often, you are not going to want to pay |
| individual model. You need to be prepared to pay for | | | | twice for the unlock code in the event it does occur. |
| the code, but the price is not excessive. You can take | | | | Once you have finished the unlock process, you are |
| a little bit of time and shop around for the best deal. | | | | free to use whatever service you prefer, and will have |
| Once you are provided with the code, it is a simple | | | | a more valuable unit should you wish to sell it at a later |
| matter of typing it into the mobile phone via the | | | | date. |
| keypad. This is a distinct advantage of the Cingular | | | | |